Loved this one just as much as The Roommate. It's fun, but so so thoughtful and emotional. I'll be reading everything Rosie Danan writes!!

This was an excellent follow-up to The Roommate. I loved learning more about Naomi and getting beneath that hard shell of hers!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

The Intimacy Experiment is the second book from Rosie Danan. We meet Naomi Grant in her first book, The Roommate, and this book tells her story of finding love. Naomi is a former adult film star and she now heads a growing company that focuses on sex positivity. Now that she has earned a master's degree in Social Psychology, her goal is to be able to teach people about sex and intimacy in a live setting, but the academic world won't give her the chance. Ethan Cohen, a rabbi from a local synagogue, offers her an opportunity to teach a seminar series on modern intimacy and Naomi decides to take the opportunity to build her skills and resume. Although she is immediately attracted to the young rabbi, she is as surprised as anyone when they begin to develop feelings for one another.

I normally read romance novels because they are fun and entertaining, but this book really made me think about sex and intimacy on a different plane. Rosie Danan does an incredible job of writing a story that intellectualizes sex and intimacy while balancing it on a human level. I liked that I went through a lot of processing of my thoughts on sex while reading this book because it forced me to look at sex from many perspectives.

This book also had a fun and entertaining side that I loved. I liked learning Naomi Grant's origin story - how she went from being Hannah Sturm to the adult film star and co-CEO that she is today. I loved Ethan's character - his faith, optimism, conviction and commitment to serving others was incredibly sexy. I have to admit, I felt a little guilty for finding him sexy.

Not being Jewish myself, I appreciated learning a little about Jewish faith and culture. I can't think of any other romance books that I've read that are centered around Jewish lead characters and it made me wonder why. It's another perspective that I would like to see more in romance novels.

Steam level: 🔥🔥🔥

The Intimacy Experiment by Rosie Danan, release April 6

With a successful sex positive start up under her belt, Naomi is invited to give live lectures on intimacy at a synagogue run by the city’s most eligible rabbi.

The Roommate one of my favourite romances of 2020. Naomi was the ex girlfriend character and I absolutely loved that Danan did not pit her as the stereotypical jealous and “crazy” ex. When I heard Naomi was going to have her own book, where the love interest was a rabbi of all things, I knew I had to read it ASAP. And let me tell you, I loved this one too!

💕First, it’s so well written. Danan has such a mature writing style I very much admire. Her metaphors are the best.

💕I loved Naomi and Clara’s friendship. Danan doesn’t pit women against each other which is feminist a f.

💕Both characters stand on their own. Naomi takes no shit but is a secret softy. Ethan is such a unique hero who manages to be super sexy, deep, and intelligent while not being your stereotypical 6 foot, ripped Thor lookalike (not that I’m hating. I like muscles too😅). And the chemistry between them is a delicious slow burn 🔥

💕Rosie always brings the STEAM.

If you want a sex positive, steamy, smart romance that defies stereotypes, make sure to add this one to the TBR. And definitely read the Roommate if you haven’t already!

Thank you so much Berkley, Netgalley, and Rosie Danan for this ARC!

3.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eArc in exchange for an honest review!

I'll admit that I didn't love this book as much as I'd hoped. It's probably unfair to judge a book based on the first book in the series, but I went into it expecting The Roommate's new standard of steaminess, banter, and romance, which I don't think this book fully delivered on.

I really like how this book let Naomi really shine as her own character. I was super intrigued by her in The Roommate and seeing her as a more vulnerable, fleshed-out character made me love her even more. She got the love and story she deserved for sure because it let her be vulnerable with the people she loves without complaint. I also loved her love interest, Ethan, a rabbi trying to save his synagogue. He's incredibly sweet and understanding with Naomi, and he really balances out her dominating personality. I felt like this book did a great job showing their emotional romance that felt believable. But here also lies my main gripe with this book:

I was expecting a super-steamy book, like The Roommate! Don't get me wrong, there were some great scenes with their chemistry and some pretty good steam, but I went into this book expecting more, because of The Roommate. I understand Ethan is a rabbi, and there are people judging his life/relationship choices, but I was really hoping they'd still have situations similar to Clara and Josh in The Roommate. Ethan also said that he can and will have sex, so that wasn't even an issue. I did appreciate that their relationship was very strong before they decided to have sex, but it felt slightly underwhelming after the buildup and there wasn't very much of it. I hope I don't sound awful, judging a book for how steamy it was, but that was a big part of what I LOVED in The Roommate and it felt slightly lackluster here. Overall, I'd say if you loved Naomi in The Roommate and want to see more of her, and if you enjoy the romance more than the sex scenes, you would love this book! Otherwise, I'd definitely say give it a chance but do not expect it to be on the same level as The Roommate.

I loved this book so much- even more than the Roommate! Naomi and Ethan had so much chemistry and I loved the issues they dealt with- they felt real, as did how they handled them. The other characters were great too (members of the synagogue, seeing Clara and Josh again, etc)

This follow-up to Danan’s steamy 2020 debut The Roommate is filled with humor, healing, and heady good times (and, yes, that is a naughty pun). It inhabits the same world as Danan’s last book, and follows Naomi Grant — a former porn star and founder of a wildly successful sex-positive start-up — who now wants to share her unconventional expertise via live, in-person lectures but keeps finding that academia is too stubborn and old-fashioned to give her the time of day. When the handsome rabbi Ethan Cohen approaches her to teach a course on modern intimacy that he hopes will entice new blood to his synagogue, Naomi hesitates. Sex and religion, especially a religion she herself walked away from, don’t mix well, and this rabbi is way too hot for her not to corrupt. She decides to take the chance, and soon finds herself wondering: Who’s corrupting whom?

Rosie Danan has done it again! The Intimacy Experiment is a fantastic follow-up to her debut novel, The Roommate. I had high hopes for this book after the success of The Roommate and thankfully it did not disappoint! Danan might be the best new rom com author out there - her work is fresh, contemporary and unconventional. How unconventional you may ask? While The Roommate features the pairing of a goody two-shoes socialite and a sex performer, The Intimacy Experiment centers around a former sex performer and a Jewish (reform) rabbi. Yes, you read that right - a rabbi! Granted, the rabbi is young, good looking and happens to be considered one of LA's most eligible bachelors, but still, that's quite unconventional!

Naomi Grant (whom you met in The Roommate) is a co-CEO of a successful online sex-positive educational website called Shameless, with aspirations of teaching in front of a classroom. The problem is, despite her long list of qualifications, most educational institutions won't give her the time of day because of her past.

Ethan Cohen is the rabbi of a floundering synagogue that's on the verge of closing due to budget cuts and low attendance - most of its congregants are octogenarians. He's desperate to save his synagogue and thinks bringing in younger, fresh congregants might be the key to saving his shul.

After Ethan hears Naomi speak at a seminar they're both at, he approaches her with an interesting proposition - why not teach a lecture series on Modern Intimacy in an attempt to lure in new, younger congregates to his synagogue? After careful consideration, Naomi agrees as long as they keep it professional. But after spending some time together, she starts to fall in love with Ethan - opening herself up to love is something that she hasn't allowed herself to do for a very long time. Meanwhile, Ethan finds himself falling deeply in love with Naomi as well. Of course, given her background, and with Ethan being a rabbi - people don’t make it easy for them to be together.

The plot is expertly executed and I loved learning more about Naomi's backstory. It gives more context as to why she is the way she is - with her tough, no-bullshit exterior / attitude. It was brilliant to see the arc of her character across both books.

The book is steamy but it's not as steamy as The Roommate. I actually appreciated this because it allowed for more elaboration on Naomi's backstory. Plus, it's almost as if the book is a representation of Naomi herself - that there's more to her than just sex. Also, as a non-Jewish person, I liked that the book served as a tool to educate people on the Jewish faith. Religion is not something you often see in rom coms so I found that aspect surprising and refreshing.

I'm such a huge fan of Rosie Danan and I can't wait for the pub date so I can add this to my bookshelf!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Pub and Rosie Danan for providing me with an eGalley / eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Holy sheeet. This book. It's everything. I had high expectations after reading The Roommate and this book flew past anything I could have imagined. Ethan is the type of rom-com guy I've been searching for in a book! Not only was the emotional thread excellent, but Rosie Danan also managed to add sentences that knocked the wind out of me. Beautiful writing.

It's not as raunchy as her debut, so fans of The Roommate might find that lacking, but I thought it was just the right about of steam and sizzle. Can't wait for more!

OK so read THE INTIMACY EXPERIMENT last night and I have things to say.

First

THERE IS A HOT RABBI!!

I repeat

THERE IS A HOT RABBI!!!

But seriously this book due out in April by @rosiedanan is simultaneously joyous and revolutionary. A former sex worker heroine. A rabbi hero. They both team up to teach a series on modern intimacy.

I love how joyously Jewish this read is while also being universal. The depth to the very different characters and them learning how to be in a relationship with each other...just perfection.

So all in all...

Not as much of a raunch-com as THE ROOMMATE but you will still be swooning over the sweltering sexual tension. Mostly though I’d love more books which really and truly illustrate that when it comes to sex and relationships, there is no such thing as normal!!

Thank you to @NetGalley and @BerkleyRomance for the advanced read. I can’t wait for the rest of #Romancelandia to read this book.

Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for an ARC of the Intimacy Experiment in exchange for an honest review!

Wow, this truly is one of the most fascinating romance novels I’ve ever read! With some of the BEST Jewish rep EVERRR. I am Jewish myself and I don’t think I have *ever* read about a Jewish woman finding herself in her religion WHILE falling in love... with a rabbi, no less.

This is legitimately nothing like The Roommate, Rosie Danan’s first book. And for that reason, I actually like it better! I think it’s so dynamic and touching. It was much more character driven than a romance (in my opinion). So for that reason, typical romance readers might not love this one as much. It’s not a steamy, but because of the content, it made sense.

I highly recommend this one, even if you haven’t read The Roommate!!!

What a great follow-up to The Roommate! I enjoyed the first book but loved this one even better. Sweet, hilarious, and swoony all in one.

4.5 STARS

This is easily one of my most anticipated books going into 2021! So thank you, thank you, thank you Berkley Publishing Group for an eARC of The Intimacy Experiment by Rosie Danan.

The Intimacy Experiment is a follow up novel to Danan's 2020 release, The Roommate. The Roommate was a fun, steamy romance where we got to witness good-girl Clara fall in love with adult entertainer Josh.

Well, this story follows their friend, Naomi.

Naomi is Josh and Clara's partner in their sex positive start up that has become a sensation. With the business in full swing, Naomi is looking to expand beyond being an entrepreneur and really wants to teach. Despite having her masters and a long list of qualifications, higher ed wants nothing to do with her.

Ethan, one of LA's most eligible bachelors and a rabbi at his own synagogue is looking to attract a younger audience and up his recruitment efforts. He makes the risky decision to partner with Naomi and put on a lecture series that explore modern relationships and intimacy. As the class gets more buss and Naomi and Ethan spend more time together, a lot of lines are blurred and some are crossed in ways that will change things forever.

If you have not read The Roommate yet, I highly recommend reading that one first! This can be read as a stand alone, but you will lose some of the background story the first book provides.

I LOVED this as a follow up novel to The Roommate. Not only did I grow an appreciation for Naomi, it was fun to see the arc of her character across both stories. You also got glimpses into Josh and Clara's life now, which was fun!

And, if you read the first you are probably curious about this... oh yes, there is steam!!! Maybe not as much steam as the first book, but this is still not something I will be lending my mom.

April 6th cannot come soon enough! Cannot wait to add this to my bookshelf!

I think it's safe to say I'm a @rosiedanan fan 🥰

I already knew I was a fan from The Roommate, but now even moreso. The extensive knowledge displayed here in regards to Judaism actually blew me away. It's not often you find a (reform) rabbi as the protagonist in a mainstream romcom, so maybe I went in with a little skepticism, but I have to say this novel completely exceeded my expectations and I so appreciated all that she did here!

The Intimacy Experiment is about Naomi Grant, former porn star, current co-business owner of a thriving platform to teach people how to embrace and be comfortable in their sexual bodies. When Naomi decides she'd like to venture into teaching, she is dismayed to find she is not being taken seriously, no one wants to give her a chance. When she meets Rabbi Ethan Cohen at a teaching seminar, it is she that doesn't take him seriously when he offers her a chance to teach at his synagogue.

Rabbi Ethan Cohen is the newly appointed single rabbi of a floundering synagogue, brought on to help revive attendance and appeal to a younger audience. Not only does he see potential in Naomi and her ideas to introduce a Modern Intimacy lecture series, but he can't seem to take his eyes off of her. Maybe it's her no- nonsense attitude and her tough as nails exterior that creep their way into his heart and mind. Or maybe it's that slight crack in the door she left open for him to see the vulnerable side underneath it all.

Both characters were fleshed out so well. Rosie did an amazing job giving the reader a chance to learn both Ethan and Naomi's personalities. She enables u a full scope of the complexities of who they are, let's u see all the reasons behind their insecurities, and allows u to know exactly why & how they came to be that way. And u know she never fails to deliver the steam!

The only thing that posed a challenge for me personally, was having to put all my modern orthodox knowledge aside. Orthodox and reform judaism are very different from each other so it was hard at first for me to shed some of the hard and fast rules of judaism that are so engrained within me. Once i did i fell in love, esp with the intellect woven throughout.

The Roommate may have been my most recommended read this year because it was such a wonderfully unique and sexy story. So I went into The Intimacy Experiment with high expectations and I wasn't disappointed. I was so interested in Naomi's story in The Roommate that knowing this would share more about her had me giddy. I adored learning her background and her story and ETHAN - I loved him. I honestly can't wait to see what Danan writes next! Thank you for the early copy for review.

Sadly, this is a DNF for me. I got through about 30% of the book and I coudn't keep going. I didn't feel a connection to any of the characters and the writing fell flat for me. Keep in mind, this is just my opinion, I can see reasons why others would love this story!

I loved how the author incorporated faith into a sexy romance. Really enjoyed this companion novel to The Roommate. Naomi was a standout character in The Roommate, so I'm glad she got her own book.

I enjoyed "The Roommate" more than this one, I'm sorry to say! I loved the educational aspect of the book - both Jewish and otherwise - but was disappointed about the chemistry between the characters.

Y’all know my love for The Roommate!! I was so totally stoked when I received my copy of The Intimacy Experiment!! Now I will say my expectations for this book weren’t as high, because my love for Josh and Clara’s story was soooo high!! But of course @rosiedanan came through with this one!! The slow buildup of romance and tension in this one was exactly what worked for telling Naomi’s story! I enjoyed seeing a different side of her character and fell in love with her even more! I think the only criticism I have for this one is that I wanted more steam! This one gets 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫 and was a great follow-up to The Roommate!!

Take the Roommate add in some faith and a little less sex and you have this gem. I loved The Roommate and I loved this one too.

I do wish there would be more acknowledgment of people of color and others who experience intersectionality in the sex worker world.